Mary Butler (Waterford, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

The continued development of specialist services for eating disorders, including improved access and shorter waiting lists, remains a key priority for me and the Government. Funding was made available in 2021 to complete the three existing specialist eating disorder teams and establish three additional eating disorder teams — one in the Deputy's community healthcare organisation, CHO, namely, CHO 4, adult; another in CHO 9, adult; and another in CHO 2, child and adult mental health services.

When I entered my post last year, the money for eating disorder services had been suspended. I reinstated €3.94 million immediately to develop another three teams this year. In next year's budget, I have allocated €1.5 million to put in place another three eating disorder teams. Therefore, by the end of 2022, we will have nine full eating disorder teams and two part-time teams. I have to work incrementally because, as the Deputy knows, there are challenges with staff recruitment.

With regard to the Mount Carmel site, which the Deputy mentioned, there is a team in place. It consists of eight staff. It continues to operate and provide vital services from the existing location in St. Vincent's University Hospital. The other premises will not be ready to move into until quarter two of next year, but the multidisciplinary team is in place, with eight staff working.

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